Refrigerant Pressure Sensor

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2020 Jaguar XE and 2019 Jaguar XE. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The refrigerant pressure sensor provides the HVAC with a pressure input from the high-pressure side of the refrigerant system. The refrigerant pressure sensor is located in the refrigerant line between the condenser and the thermostatic expansion valve.

The HVAC supplies a 5V reference voltage to the refrigerant pressure sensor and receives a return signal voltage, between 0 V and 5 V, related to system pressure.

The HVAC uses the signal from the pressure sensor to protect the refrigerant system from extremes of pressure. The HVAC transmits the A/C pressure, along with the compressor drive current value, to the Body Control Module/Gateway Module (BCM/GWM) assembly on the HS CAN comfort systems bus. These signals are broadcasted to the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) on the HS CAN powertrain systems bus to allow it to calculate the torque being applied to the compressor by the engine.

To protect the system from extremes of pressure, the HVAC sets the A/C compressor to the minimum flow position if the pressure:

Decreases to 2.1 ± 0.2 bar (31.5 ± 3 lbf/in² ), the HVAC loads the A/C compressor again when the pressure increases to 2.3 ± 0.2 bar (33.4 ± 3 lbf/in² ).
Increases to 31 ± 1 bar (450 ± 14.5 lbf/in² ), the HVAC loads the A/C compressor again when the pressure decreases to 26 ± 1 bar (377 ± 14.5 lbf/in² ).

The HVAC also uses the signal from the refrigerant pressure sensor to request engine cooling fan duty from the PCM via the BCM/GWM assembly, using the HS CAN comfort and powertrain systems buses.

In addition, the HVAC calculates the amount of torque used to drive the A/C compressor using inputs from the refrigerant pressure sensor and the Ambient Air Temperature (AAT) sensor. This information is also transmitted to the PCM via the HS CAN networks.